Joe Cole said Maresca was “perfect” in this part of his plan in tonight’s win | OneFootball

It was a big win for Chelsea tonight, although let’s face it – it was expected.

Really it was about getting through the game with a win and no injuries, and the Blues managed that. There was even time for a heart-warming debut for youngster Reggie Walsh. Speaking on TNT Sport, Joe Cole pointed out that the dilemmas that manager Enzo Maresca had to deal with, knowing that he has a potentially season-deciding game on Sunday against Liverpool to come.

What Maresca got right in minute distribution tonight

Nicolas Jackson celebrates his goal. (Photo by Michael Campanella/Getty Images)

“It’s a big job for the lads, I think it’s very simple. It’s rest now, for the lads who played tonight,” Cole said.

“But I think when Maresca looked at this game, all good managers plan 2 or 3 games ahead. And he will have gone right – priority Liverpool at the weekend, what do we need to get out of that. Who’s going to play in that game, they will have done the tactics based on that, and then probably worked back from that and said right, tonight we’re going to swap Caicedo with Enzo so they’ve got 45 minutes each for example,” the former Blues winger continued.

“I think with the players he went perfect – everyone’s had minutes, everyone’s injury free. It will be a late night tonight, everyone must recover, but you go again on Sunday, and it’s a huge, huge game at Stamford Bridge.”

You can see Cole make his point in the clip embedded here:

Chelsea staff and players suffer tiny turnaround before big game

Maresca pointed out in his press conference that he and his team won’t be back in the UK until about 4am tonight. There’s really not much time for them to rest before preparation begins for the Sunday afternoon special at Stamford Bridge.